Method of mining and apparatus therefor



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Patented Aug. 17, 1937 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF MINING AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Application June 13, 1935, Serial No. 26,457

35 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of mining coal or' similar mineral and an apparatus therefor. More particularly, the invention relates to the pitch" mining of hard coal or similar mineral.

Pitch miningas now practiced consists in drilling'holes into the face or breast of the coal at suitably spaced points, filling the holes with explosives, and then'setting off the charges of explosives. In other words, the coal is brokenfrom the face or breast by blasting. In this method the degree of impact and shattering power of the blast is dependent upon the skill exercised by the miner in selecting the proper relative positions for each hole, in drilling the holes to the proper depth, in employing the correct amount of the explosive charge, and in tamping the charge properly in each of the holes. Thus, it will be apparent that if great care and skill is not exercised by the miner, a blasting effect will result 3 which is of such intensity and repercussion as to cause severe fractures in the lateral ribs and cave-ins in the roof and shatter the. coal into a relatively high percentage of small particles of a size known as undersized coal or fines. Further, the coal is blasted primarily from the central portion of the breast, leaving portions of the coal depending from the roof and protruding from the lateral ribs. In order to maintain the breast or face of uniform fracture, it is necesssary to remove such portions, and this can only be done by hand-operated wedges, sledges, or picks. As a matter of fact, it is not possible to dislodge the coal by blasting from the entire area of the breast or face without causing some damage to the roof and the lateral ribs.

- In the blasting method of pitch mining, it is necessary to continually reinforce the roof by means of upright timbers and collars so as to protect the workmen from injury or 'fatality due to the falling of pieces or sections of the roof. The timber. required for this purpose can only be brought up to thejworkman in the breast through the manways, and this is an extremely difiicult and burdensome task, becauseof the 5 great weight of the timbers. Furthermore, the blasting causes an undue amount of smoke and coal dust which are not only injurious to the health of the workman, but also unduly tax the systemof ventilation. In addition, there is the grave danger of gas explosions and consequent fires which result in many injuries or fatalities to the workman. Then again, this method of mining produces approximately 35% of what 5 is known as undersized coal or fines of each ton mined which undersized coal or fines can only be sold at a price below the production cost.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of pitch mining wherein the coal or similar mineral is mined without 5 blasting. 7

Another object of 'the present invention is to provide a method of pitch mining without blasting wherein the coal or similar mineral is broken away and dislodged by the application to the 10 walls of contiguous communicating areas at points intermediate the axes of said areas formed in the working breast at a point spaced from an undercut and side out in the breast of expansive forces which in themselves are of such magnil5 tude as to break away the coal or mineral in the region of suchareas in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines and undersized particles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of pitch mining without blasting wherein the coal or similar mineral is broken away and dislodged by the application to the walls of contiguous communicating areas at points intermediate the axes of said areas formed in the working breast at a point'spaced from an undercut and side out in the breast of expansive and vibratory forces which in themselves are of such magnitude as to break away the coal or mineral in the region of such areas in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines and undersized particles.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of pitch mining without blasting which enables coal or similar mineral to be mined 'in greater quantities of sizable pieces per unit ton than is possible by the pitch mining employing blasting.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus for the mining of coal .or similar mineral which is comparatively light in weight, easy to install in the working 40 breast, and simple to operate.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus for the mining of coal or. similar mineral wherein a plurality of boring elements arranged in spaced and aligned relation are capable of attacking the face of the breast in any plane which is substantially parallel with the pitch of the floor of the vein. 7

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus for the mining of coal or similar mineral which is capable of performing all of the operations incident to the mining of coal or similar mineral from the working breast without the use of explosives.

Briefly stated, the method according to the present invention comprises forming a fissure in the breast at an angle substantially parallel to the pitch of the floor at the juncture point of the breast and fioor of the vein, fracturing the cleav- 5 age of the coal or mineral from the floor to the roof of said vein along the joinder point of a lateral rib and the breast, forming contiguous communicating areas of a depth substantially corresponding to said fissure in the breast in a plane spaced from said fissure which is substantially parallel to the pitch of the floor, and applying to the walls of said areas at points intermediate the axes of said areas expansive forces which in themselves are of sufi'icient magnitude to break away and dislodge the coal or mineral in the region of said areas in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines and undersized particles.

The fissure may be formed by boring into the face of the breast at the juncture point of the breast and the fioor of the vein at an angle substantially parallel to the pitch of the fioor to the desired depth. This may be done by causing a series of aligned boring elements to simultaneously bore into a portion of the breast to the desired depth, withdrawing the boring elements,

and successively repeating such boring and withdrawing operations upon other portions of the face until the fissure extends partially or completely across the entire width of the breast. Preferably, the fissure is made so that it extends completely across the entire width of the breast. The depth of the fissure is variable, it being dependent upon the length of the boring elements employed. Boring elements of a length just sufficient to bore to a depth of from 3 to 4 feet have been found to be most satisfactory. Although a depth of 3 A; to 4 feet is preferred, it is to be understood that satisfactory results are obtained if the depth of the fissure is less than 3% feet. The formation of the fissure severs or fractures the cleavage between the bed rock of the floor and the coal or mineral to be mined.

The fracturing of the cleavage of the coal or mineral along the joinder point of a lateral rib and the breast may be effected in the same manner as previously described in the formation of the fissure or in such manner that the coal is just punctured sufficiently at a plurality of spaced points along the joinder point from the floor to the roof of the vein so as to sever or break the cleavage of the coal or mineral at such point. Preferably, the cleavage of the coal or mineral is severed along the joinder point of both the lateral ribs and the breast.

The application of the expansive forces to the breast or face of the coal or mineral which are of sufiicient magnitude in themselves to break away and dislodge the coal or mineral in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines and undersized particles may be effected in a number of ways. One manner of doing this consists in contacting a plurality of aligned and spaced boring elements with the face of the breast in a plane spaced above the fissure which is substantially parallel to the pitch of the floor of the vein, and causing the boring elements to bore into the coal to thereby form contiguous communicating areas. Preferably; the boring elements are provided with boring bits of the type such as to partially overlap each other so as to produce a series of spaced localized areas which are in the form of circular holes interconnected to each other by means of passages whose upper and lower walls simulate a V-shaped rib. As the boring progresses, expansive forces are applied to the walls of each aosaeee of the passages connecting the circular holes, preferably successively and at periodic intervals. These expansive forces may be induced by cans ing jaw members to be pressed against the walls of the aforesaid passages, preferably at points spaced therealong. The selection of the plane above the fissure at which the boring elements are to penetrate the coal or mineral depends upon the depth of the fissure and the texture and solidity of the coal or mineral. While it is preferred to have the plane of penetration at a distance of from 1 to 3 feet from the fissure, it is also possible to have the spacing of such plane more or less than the aforesaid distance. The aligned boring elements are preferably of a length sufficient to bore holes of a depth substantially corresponding to that of the fissure and of an overall width corresponding to a multiple of the entire width of the breast, for example, two feet.

In some instances, it is desirable and advantageous to apply both expansive and vibratory forces to the walls of the contiguous communicating areas at points intermediate the axes of said areas. This may be done by causing the jaw members to be pressed against the walls of the passages interconnecting the circular holes as the boring progresses and intermittently applying hammer blows to either the boring elements or the jaw members.

The boring action of the boring elements with the boring elements equally spaced from each other penetrates the coal and thereby forms contiguous communicating areas from which the expansive forces exerted through the jaw members upon the walls of the interconnecting passages are distributed to the coal or mineral in the region of each of such areas to an extent sufficient to cause the breaking away and dislodging of the coal. Where the expansive forces are supplemented by the vibratory forces which are exerted through the boring elements or the jaw members these vibratory forces are likewise distributed to the coal or mineral in the region of said areas. a

Inasmuch as the overall width of the spaced boring elements is but a multiple of the entire width of the breast, this same treatment which results in the formation of contiguous communicating areas and the application of expansive forces alone or both expansive and vibratory forces to such areas is continued successively along the same plane until the entire width of the breast has been thus treated. This same operation is successively repeated along other suitably spaced planes until the entire face of the breast of coal or mineral has been broken away and dislodged. An embodiment of an apparatus for use in carrying out the method according to the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein-- Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the apparatus according to the present invention in operative position in a coal or mineral vein of the pitch type.

Figure 2 is a plan view taken on the line AA of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation view in section, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the mechanism for actuating the boring elements and the elements for inducing the expansive forces, and the mechanism for adjusting these elements as a unit to any desired'position.

Figure 4 is a side elevation in section, taken Figure 19 is an enlarged detailed view in secon the line C-C of Figure 3, showing the mechanism for rotating the boring elements.

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view partly in section, taken on the line EE of Figure 1, showing the combination of the boring elements and the elements for inducing the expansive forces.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view in section, taken on the line F-F of Figure 5, showing one of the elements for inducing the expansive forces.

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevational view taken on the line GG of Figure 5, showing the assembly of one of the expansible members forming a part of the element for inducing expansive forces.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line HH of Figure 6, showing the contour of the expansible member shown in Figure 71 Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line J--J of Figure 6, showing, the contour of the other expansible members forming a part of the element for inducing expansive forces.

Figure 10 is an end view of the combination of boring elements and expansive force inducing elements shown in Figure 5, illustrating the rela tive positions of both of said elements when operating in the coal of the breast and the type of localized areas shown by the dotted lines which are formed as a result of the combined action of such elements.

Figure 11 is a front elevational view in section, taken on the line D-D of Figure 3 showing the mechanism foractuating the complete assembly of elements .for inducing the expansive forces.

Figure 12 is a side elevation in section, taken on line K-K of Figure 5, showing in detail the actuating mechanism for one of the elements inducing the expansive forces.

Figure 13 is a plan view in section, taken on the line L-L of Figure 1, showing the mechanism for rotating the boring elements, and the mechanism for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing elements toward and away from the breast of coal or mineral.

Figure 14 is an end elevational view in section, taken on the line MM of Figure 13, showing the gear assembly for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing elements forward and backward.

Figure 15 is a side elevational view in section, with a part broken away, taken on the line NN of Figure 13, showing the gear assembly for connecting the mechanism for rotating the boring elements and for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing elements forward and backward to the motor shaft, and the telescopictubesior connecting the shaft for rotating the boring elements and for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing elements forward and backward with the gearing for rotating the boring elements shown in Figure 3.

Figure 16 is a side elevation view in section, taken on the line OO of Figure 14, showing the mechanism for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing elements forward and backward.

Figure 17 is a detailed side elevation view insection, taken on the line P--P of Figure 13,

showing the mechanism for reversing the rotation of the shaft for feeding the boring and expansive force inducing elements forward.

Figure 18 is a partial end view of Figure 16 showing the levers for operating the forward and tion, taken on the line.R-R of Figure 16, showing the connection between the lever and the rod for operating the reverse clutch.

Figure 20 is a partial plan view in section, of the lower portion of Figure 14, showing the relation of the speed changing gear with the nests of driven gears.

Figure 21 is a partial plan view of Figure 20 showing the nests of driven gears in association with the speed change gear.

Figure 22 is a detailed side elevation view in section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 20, showing the mechanism for locking the speed change gear in its adjusted position.

Figure 23 is an end view in section, taken on the line TT of Figure 3, showing the keys for locking the telescopic tubes to each other when rotated.

Figure 24 is an enlarged side sectional elevational view showing the telescopic tubes for connecting the shaft for rotating the boring elements and for feeding theboring and expansive force inducing elements forward and backward as shown in the lower portion of Figure 15 with the shaft for actuating the gearing for rotating the .boring elements as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 25 is an enlarged detailed end view in section, taken on the line UU of Figure 24,

showing the configuration of the nut on the the mast structure for supporting the mechanism for operating the boring elements in the vein. and the mechanism for mounting same.

Figure 27 is an end elevation view in section, of the top of the mast structure of Figure 1 showing the manner in which the mast is connected to the trolleys.

Figure 28 is an enlarged end elevation view in section, taken on the line V- V of Figure 1, showing the mounting of the carriage supporting the machine upon the tracks and the mechanism for moving the carriage along the tracks.

Figure 29 is an enlarged plan view, partly in section, taken on the line X--X of Figure 1, showing the jack for moving the carriage along the tracks. 7

Figure 30 is an enlarged elevational view in section, taken on the line Y-Y of Figure 29, showing the connection of the jack with the carriage.

Figure 31 is a side elevation view, partly in section, taken on the line ZZ of Figure 30, showing 'the specific manner of attaching the jack to the carriage frame.

Figure 32 is a side elevation view in section, of a modification of the structure shown in Figure 3, showing the mechanism for applying vibratory forces to the elements for inducing expansive forces.

Figure 33 is a partial plan view in section, taken on the line A'-A' of Figure 32, showing the mechanism for applying hammer blows to the elements for inducing expansive forces.

Figure 34 is a side elevation view showing the manner of connecting the hollow sleeve to the rod operatingthe expansive force inducing elements.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates the device for boring into the-coal or mineral and applying expansive forces thereto. Such device comprises a housing 2 from which protrude a series of boring elements 3. The boring elements 3 are rotatably mounted in the housing 2. As the mounting of each of these elements is the same, only one of such mountings will be described. The boring element 3 is mounted in bearings 4, 5, and 6 of the housing 2 as shown in Figure 3. Fixedly secured to the boring element 3 intermediate' the bearings and 6 is a pinion 1 which meshes with a gear 8 carried by a shaft 9. The gear 8 in turn meshes with a gear 18 carried by the shaft II. The gear I0 meshes with the pinion I2 fixedly mounted on a hollow hexagonal shaft 13 as shown in Figure 4.

To one end of the hollow hexagonal shaft I3 is coupled a hollow tube I4 by means of the coupling I5. The tube I4 is of larger cross-sectional area than the shaft I3 as clearly shown in Figure 3. Telescoping into the free end of the tube I4 is a hollow tube I6 which is slidably keyed thereto. The hollow tube I6 extends through the projection 33 of the transmission case I1 and is rotatably mounted therein. On this tube I6 is mounted a gear I8 which meshes with a gear I9 carried by a shaft 28. Mounted upon the shaft 20 and fixedly keyed to the gear 19 is a gear 2I which meshes with a gear 22 carried by a shaft 23. The shaft 23 also carries a gear 24 which meshes with a pinion 25 carried by the shaft 26 of the motor 21.

Surrounding the portion of the hollow tube I6 which is mounted in the transmission case I1 is a sleeve 28. Mounted in surrounding relation with the sleeve 28 is a hollow tube which comprises a non-threaded portion 29 and a threaded portion38 as clearly shown in Figures 15 and 24.

In threaded engagement with the threaded portion 38 is a travelling nut 3| which is fixedly secured to the inner peripheral surface of a hollow tube 32. On the threaded portion 30 at a point suitably spaced from the nut 31 is a collar 34 which acts to maintain the threaded portion 38 in aligned position within the tube 32. The end of the tube 32 opposite the travelling nut 3| extends into the projection 34 of the housing 2 of the boring and expansive force applying device I and is fixedly secured thereto by suitable bolts 35 as shown in Figure 3. In surrounding relation and in slidable engagement with the tube 32 is a sleeve 36 which has one end extending into the projection 33 of the transmission case I1 and is fixedly secured thereto by suitable bolts 31.

On the non-threaded portion 29 of the hollow tube are keyed a nest of gears 38, 39, 48, 4|, and 42 which are of varying diameters as shown in Figures 15 and 24. Carried by a shaft 43 are a nest of gears 44, 45, 46, 41, and 48 which are likewise of varying diameters. This last-named nest of gears is in alignment with but in reverse complemental relation with nest of gears 38, 39, 48, M, and 42. A gear 49 carried by a loose shaft 50 is shiftable to a position such that it will mesh with any pair of opposed gears of the respective nests of gears previously described. For example, it may be made to mesh with gears 48 and 46 as clearly shown in Figures 20 and 21. The mechanism for shifting the loose shaft 58 to the meshing position desired for the gear 49 with the opposed pair of nest of gears comprises a bearing 5| provided with a forked extension 52 carried by the shaft 50 which forked extension engages with and rides'along an angular track 53. The bearing 5| has a loose collar 54 which is secured thereto by means of a pin 55. Extending through the collar 54 is a slidable arm 56 which is secured to one end of a pin 51 mounted in the lower portion of the transmission I1, surrounding the pin 51 and bearing against the arm 56 and the inside surface of the transmission case I1 is a spring 58. To the opposite end of the pin 51 is secured an arm 59 which has its free end locked to the transmission case I1 by means of a pin 69 being inserted in any one of the holes 61 in the transmission case as shown in Figures 20 and 22. The holes 6| are spaced in such manner as to correspond with the meshing position of gear 49 with any one of the opposed pairs of the respective nests of gears. On the top of the pin 51 is securedly fixed a knob 62 for operating the pin and arm 59. The pin 51 is provided with a cut out portion 63 which receives the end of locking pin 64 extending through an opening in the transmission case I1 as shown in Figure 22.

On the shaft 43 carrying the nest of gears 44, 45, 46, 41, and 48 there is also mounted a gear65' which meshes with a gear 66 attached to and forming a part of the loose part of the forward friction disk clutch 61 loosely mounted on the shaft 68. The shaft 68 also carries a gear 69 which meshes with a pinion 18 carried by the shaft 23. The shaft 23 is connected to the pinion 25 of the motor shaft 26 through the medium of gear 24 as previously described.

The shaft 43 also carries a gear 1| which meshes with an intermediate gear 12 carried by the stub shaft 13. The gear 12 in turn meshes with a gear 14 which is attached to and is a part of the loose part of the reverse friction disk clutch 15 loosely mounted on shaft 68 as shown in Figures 16 and 17. The shaft 68 is connected to the pinion 25 of the motor shaft 26 through the medium of gear 89, pinion 18, and gear 24 on shaft 23.

On shaft 68 in complemental relation with the loose part 61 of the forward friction disk clutch is fixedly mounted the slidable part 16 of such friction disk clutch which is connected to one end of a rod 11 by the pin and yoke connection 18. To the opposite end of said rod 11 which protrudes out of the transmission case I1 is secured a hand lever 19 which is pivotally connected to a brace member 88. The hand lever 19 is for the purpose of operating the clutch.

On the shaft 68 is also fixedly mounted the slidable part 8| of the reverse friction disk clutch in complemental relation with the loose part 15 of such clutch. The slidable part 8| is connected to one end of the hollow tube 82 by means of the pin and yoke connection 83. As shown, in Figures 16 and 19 the tube 82 is in surrounding relation with respect to rod 11, and has its opposite free end protruding out of the transmission case I1 to which is secured a hand lever 84, said lever being pivotally connected to a brace member 85. The hand lever 84 operates the reverse clutch.

As shown in Figure 16 the tube 82 is provided with collars 86 and 81 disposed adjacent the yoke members 18 and 83 respectively. Attached to the collar 86 and bearing against yoke connection 18 is a compression spring 88, and acompression spring 89 having an end attached to the collar 81, bears against yoke connection 83. Engaging with the tube 82 and movable therealong is a forked member 90 which is secured to a threaded shaft 9| which carries a sprocket 92 on one end thereof. In engagement with the sprocket 92 and extending to and engaging with a sprocket 93 carried by the end of the non-threaded hollow tube portion 29 is a sprocket chain 94. The forked member 90 is moved forward or backward along the tube 82 by this sprocket mechanism until it bears against either of the collars 86 or 81 depending upon whether the forward or reverse clutch is in operative relation to automatically disengage the respective clutch.

As will be apparent from Figures 2 and 5 the boring elements 3 are suitably spaced from each other and are in aligned relation. Disposed intermediate each pair of the boring elements 3 is an expansive force inducing element. As the structure of the expansive force inducing elements is the same, only the structure of one of such ele ments will be described. The expansive force inducing element comprises a square shaped hol- -1ow tube 95 provided with slots 96, 91, and 98 which extend through the opposite walls of the tube as clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6. Within the tube 95 is disposed a rod 99 which is provided with enlarged threaded portions I00, I M, and I02 suitably spaced therealong as shown in Figure 5. In threaded engagement with each of the enlarged threaded portions I00, I M and I02, is a squared nut I03 having a pointed nose I04 which is slidable in the tube 95 as shown in Figure 6. Inasmuch as the squared nuts I03 are of the same structure only two are shown in detail. Within the tube 95 adjacent each of the slots 96, 91, and 98 is mounted and fixedly secured thereto a squared block I05 such as shown in Figure 6. Each of the blocks I05 is provided with ears I06 and I01 to which are pivotally connected jaw members I08 and I 09 which cooperate with the pointed nose I04 of the squared nut I03. Each pair of jaw members I and I09 operate through the respective slots 96, 91, and 98. The pair of jaw members I08 and I09 operating through the slots 96 and 91 are of the configuration shown to the left of Figure 6 while the pair of jaw members operating through slot 98 are of the configuration shown to the right of said figure. The ends of the jaw members I08 and I09 are pivotally connected to the nose portion I04 of the squared nut I03 as at IIO by means of slotted levers III and H2.

The series of square shaped hollow tubes 95 are supported intermediate each pair of the boring elements 3 in aligned relation therewith by having one end of the tube secured to the housing 2 by means of clip angles H3 and the opposite end extending through and secured to a cross bar II4 as shown in Figures and 12. Y

The free end of the' rod 99 carrying the expansive force inducing elements extends through an opening into the housing, and is mounted in bearings H5 and H6. On the rod intermediate the bearings H5 and H6 is fixedly mounted a sprocket II1 as shown in Figure 12. As shown in Figure 11 there is a series of such rods 99, each of which carries a sprocket I I1. Each of these sprockets H1 is in engagement with a sprocket chain I I0 which is driven by a sprocket II9 carried by a sleeve I20, one end of which is mounted in the housing 2 as at I2I. The other end of the sleeve I20 is mounted in a bearing I22. The sleeve I20 adjacent-the bearing I22 carries a loose part I23 of a friction disk clutch which is slidaby secured to said sleeve by means of pin I24, said pin passing through an opening in the rod I26 and opposed slots in the sleeve I20. As shown. in Figure 24, the loose part I23 of the friction d sk clutch cooperates with a fixed part I25 of a friction disk clutch which is mounted upon the other end of the hexagonal hollow shaft I3.

The rod I26 has a threaded end I21 on which is fixedly secured a collar I-28. Mounted on the threaded end I21 is also a threaded hexagonal nut I29. As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the threaded end I21 extends into a thimble I30 whose interior surface is hexagonal in shape, the thimble being secured to the housing 2. It is to be noted that the cross-sectional area of the hexagonal shaped nut I29 is slightly larger than that of the sleeve I20 as shown in Figures 24 and 25. To the opposite end of the rod I26 is secured a hollow tube I33 by means of a pin I3I, which pin engages with and. rides in a slot I32 in said tube as clearly shown in Figure 34. Upon pulling the wheel I34 backward the rod I26 is moved backwardly so that the loose part I23 of the clutch engages with the driven part I25 of the clutch and thereby causes the rotation of the rod I26 through sprocket I29, and sprockets H1, and chain II 8. Simultaneously the nut I29 travels along the threaded portion I21 until it abuts against the end of the sleeve I whereupon it disengages the loose part I23 from the driven part I of the clutch and stops the rotation of the rod I26. -When the rotation of the rod I26 is stopped, the wheel I34 is turned in in Figure 5. This enables the formation of spaced.

localized areas in the breast of coal or mineral which are in the form of circular holes interconnected to each other by means of passages whose upper and lower walls simulate a V-shaped rib as clearly shown by the dotted lines in Figure 10. It is apparent that these passages permit the tubes 95 carrying the expansive force inducing elements to'enter into the breast of coal or mineral with the boring elements 3.

Mounted upon the sleeve 36 is the mechanism for moving the boring and expansive force inducing device I as a unit to a position such that the boring elements will be in either a horizontal or vertical plane. Such mechanism comprises a sleeve I36 rotatably mounted on the sleeve 36. Secured to the sleeve I36 isa gear case |31which houses a worm gear I38 meshing with a worm I39 carried by shaft I40 which also carries a hand wheel I4I. Adjacent the gear case I31 and rotatably mounted on sleeve 36 is a collar I 42 which is provided with openings spaced about its periphery. As shown in Figure 23, there are three openings in said collar I42 through each of which extend keys I43, said keys also extending through complemental slots in sleeve 36 and riding upon grooves I44 in tube 32. The keys I43 are provided with set screws I44 for adjusting the mounting of the keys in the slots.

4 The apparatus comprising the combined boring and expansive force inducing device I and. the transmission case I1 housing the actuating means for said device is connected to a supporting mast I46. The means for connecting such apparatus to the supporting mast comprises the sleeve I36 and the supporting collar I45 mounted upon the sleeve 36. Sleeve I36 is pivotally connected to a sleeve I45 surrounding the lower portion of the mast I 46. and in sliding engagement therewith 6 aoeaoee by means of a collar I l'rl and pin I98. The supporting collar I95 is connected by a fork I99 to a bearing collar I50 which is pivotally connected to the sleeve I65 by the pin II. The fork is 5 provided with a threaded handle I52 which extends through the bearing collar I50. A nut I53 is in threaded engagement with the threaded handle I52, and this nut acts to raise and lower the apparatus about the pivot pin I5 I By reference to Figure 1 it will be seen that the nut I53 bears against the bearing collar I50 and thereby holds the apparatus in position on the mast. By turning the nut I5I to the right the apparatus will be tilted upwardly and by turning the nut to the left the apparatus will be tilted downwardly to the degree desired.

The mast I96 comprises hollow tubular sections I 56 and I55 which telescope into each other. The sleeve M5 surrounds the section I59 and is slidable thereon. Each of said sections are provided with openings in the sides thereof as shown in Figure 26 for adjusting the relative positions so as to increase or decrease the overall length of the mast. The sections are locked in the adjusted position by means of pins or bolts I56. The lower end of the section I59 extends into a socket I51 of a trolley frame I56. The trolley frame I58 is provided with wheels I59 and I60 which ride along the top of a transversely disposed track I6I, said track being secured to the side beams I62 and I63 of a carriage I66 as at I69 and I65. Carried by the trolley frame I58 are thrust wheels I61 and I68 which ride along the web of the track IBI as shown in Figure 26.

The top of the section I55 of the mast I06 is connected to a bracket I69 which carries a trolley I710. 'The trolley III] rides along a transverse track I'II disposed adjacent the top of the vein which track is connected at its opposite ends to the top of telescopic supports I12 and I13 by means of brackets I'M as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lower ends of each of the supports H2 and I13 are connected to side beams I62 and I63 of the carriage I66 by means of brackets as at I15 and H6.

By applying a pushing force to they right or left of the mast I46, the mast which carries the apparatus for boring and applying expansive forces to the coal or mineral is caused to travel back and forth along the transverse tracks I BI and III.

The mechanism for raising and lowering the apparatus for boring and applying expansive forces while supported on the mast I46 comprises a threaded rod IT! having its upper end secured to the bracket I69 as at I'I8 as shown in Figure 27. The rod I'I'I passes through a threaded nut I19 carried by a collar I80 which is mounted on the sleeve I45 of the mast I46, and extends into a hollow tube I8I, said tube being supported by bearings I82 and I83 carried by the trolley frame I58. The portion of the threaded rod I'I'I enclosed by the tube I8I is provided with a key 5 way I85 in which slides a key I84 protruding from the interior surface of said tube and a part thereof. Mounted upon the trolley frame I58 is a gear case I86 through which extends the tube I8I as shown in Figure 26. Fixedly mounted upon the portion of the tube I8I within the gear case I86 is a gear IB'I which meshes with a gear I88 carried by the shaft I89 having a hand wheel I90 mounted on the end thereof. By turning the hand wheel I99 it will be apparent that the threaded rod I'I'I will be rotated through the medium of shaft I99, gears I09 and I87] and thereby cause the rod III to move the nut H9 and collar I60 supporting the apparatus up and down along the mast I 56, depending upon the direction in which the wheel I is turned.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the carriage I66 is provided with wheels I9I which ride along tracks I92 longitudinally disposed along the floor of the vein. The wheels ISI are connected to the side beams I62 and I63 by brackets I93 and I99. The tracks I92 set in boots I95 and I96 and are fixedly secured thereto. To the sides of each of the boots I95 and I96 are secured yokes I9'I to which are attached the lower ends of telescopic tubes I96. The upper ends of the telescopic tubes I98 engage with the roof of the vein and are anchored thereto by means of claw shaped shoes I99. The boots I95 are provided with an extension 200 in which is disposed one end of a jack 20I. The opposite end of the jack 20I is connected to bracket I93 as shown in Figures 28, 29, 30, and 31. By turning the threaded rod 202 the threaded nut 203 travels forward or backward along the rod 202 depending upon the di rection in which the said rod is turned, and thereby causes the inner tube 209 to move forwardly or backwardly within the outer tube 205 to push the bracket I93 and wheels I9I of the carriage I66 supporting the mast I56 carrying the apparatus up or down along the tracks I92. The tracks I92 are provided with means for locking the carriage I66 at the stopping position, such means comprising a dog 20! carried by brackets 208 secured to side beams I62 and I63 of the carriage I66 which engages with a toothed rack 206 fixedly secured to the top of tracks I92 as shown in Figures 1, 28, and 30. 1

In carrying out the method of the present invention with the apparatus thus described, the operator shifts the mounting of the boring and expansive force inducing device I to a position such that the boring elements are in a horizontal plane. This is done by turning the hand wheel MI in the proper direction to a degree suificient to cause the sleeve 36 to rotate within the sleeve I36 carrying the housing 2 of the boring and expansive force inducing device I by means of the shaft I40, worm I39, and worm gear I38. With the rotation of the sleeve 36, the collar I42 is likewise rotated thereby causing the keys M3 to ride along the grooves I44 in tube 32. These keys act to retain the sleeve 36 in the position to which it has been moved by its rotation within the sleeve I36.

With the boring and expansive force inducing device I in position such that the boring elements are in a horizontal plane, the operator next. shifts the apparatus comprising the combined boring and expansive force inducing device I and the transmission case I! housing the actuating means for said device to a position such that the boring elements will be in a horizontal plane which is at an angle substantially parallel with the pitch of the floor of the vein. This is effected by turning the nut I53 to the right to a degree sufiicientto cause said nut to travel along the threaded handle I52 of the fork I49 and thereby tilt the apparatus upwardly about the pivot pin I48. As the nut I53 is in constant engagement with the bearing collar I50 it also acts to hold the apparatus in its adjusted position.

After the boring and expansive force inducing device I is in position such that the boring elements are in a horizontal plane which is at an angle substantially parallel with the pitch of the floor of the vein, the operator lowers the apparatus to a point such that the boring elements in their adjusted position face a multiple of the breast at the juncture point of the breast and the floor of the vein. This is done by turning the hand wheel I99 in the proper direction to a degree sufficient to cause the threaded rod I11 to be rotated through the medium of shaft I89, gears I68 and I81, thereby moving the nut I19 and collar I89 supporting the .apparatus downwardly along the mast I46.

The operator next applies a pushing force to the right or left of the mast I46 to shift the apparatus for boring and applying expansive forces to the coal or mineral to a point such that the boring elements are in position to attack a multiple of the working breast extending from either one of the two lateral ribs or intermediate the two lateral ribs. Preferably, the apparatus is shifted to a point such that the boring elements will attack a multiple of the working breast extending from either the right or left hand lateral rib.

When the boring elements are in position to attack a multiple of the breast extending from one of the lateral ribs, the operator starts the rotation of the motor shaft 26. The rotation of the shaft 26 causes the rotation of each of the boring elements 3 through the pinions 1 carried by each of said elements. As shown in Figure 4, the pinions 1 are in mesh with each other, and such pinions are rotated in unison by means of a gear 8 which meshes with one of the pinions 1. The gear 8 is driven from the motor shaft 26 through shaft 9, gear I9, shaft II, pinion I2, hollow hexagonal shaft' I3, hollow tube shafts I4 and I6, gear I8, gears I9 and 2I, shaft 29, gears 22 and 24, shaft 23, and pinion 25.

While the boring elements 3 are rotating, the operator pushes the hand lever 19 inwardly so as to cause the feeding of the rotating boring elements into the breast of coal or mineral. The pushing of the lever 19 inwardly moves the driven part 16 of the friction clutch into engagement with the loose part 61 of the friction clutch and thereby rotates shaft 43 through the medium of gears 66 and 65. The shaft 43 drives the hollow tube shaft 29 by means of gear 46, 49, and 40. By the rotation of the hollow shaft 29 the nut 3| is caused to move along the threaded portion 39 of the shaft 29, and thereby feed sleeve 32 carrying the boring and expansive .force inducing device I forwardly into the breast of coal or mineral. The extent of travel forwardly of the nut 3| along the threaded portion 39 of the hollow shaft 29 is controlled by means of the travelling yoke 99 which moves along tube 82 and threaded shaft 9| and contacts with and bears against the yoke connection 18 attached to the driven part 16 of the friction clutch at'a certain point in its travel to disengage the driven part 16 from the loose part 61 of the clutch. As

shown in Figures 13, 14. and 16, the travelling yoke 99 is caused'to move forwardly along the threaded shaft 9| by means of sprocket 92,

' mineral.

late V-shaped ribs as clearly shown by the dotted lines in Figure 10.

When the boring elements have penetrated into the coal to the desired extent which is controlled thereby rotates shaft 43 reversely through gears 14, 12, and H. The shaft 43 drives the hollow tube shaft 29 by means of the gears previously described for rotating shaft 43 in the opposite direction to thereby feed sleeve 32 carrying the boring and expansive force inducing device I backwardly and away from the breast of coal or The extent of travel of the nut 3I reversely along the threaded portion 30 of the hollow shaft 29 is controlled by means of the same travelling yoke 99 previously described but at a certain point in its reverse travel, the aforesaid yoke contacts with and bears against the yoke connection 83 attached to the driven part 8| of the reverse clutch to disengage the driven part 8! from the loose part of the reverse clutch.

If desired, the speed at which the boring elements are fed toward and away from the breast of coal or mineral may be increased or decreased as des'red. This may be done by shifting gear 49 into engagement with either of complemental pairs of gears 39 and 44, 39 and 45, M and 41, or 42 and 48. The shifting of gear 49 is effected by pulling outwardly on the knob 62 and then turning such knob in such direction that the forked bearing 52 wll slide along the track 53 to the desired extent by means of pin 51 and arm 56. The gear 49 is then locked in its adjusted position by means of arm 59 and pin 69 as clearly shown in Figure 20.

When the boring elements have been retracted to their initial feeding position the operator pushes the mast I46 to an extent sufficient to shift the apparatus to a point such that the boring elements are in position to attack another multiple of the breast along the juncture point of the breast and fioor of the vein, and repeats the feeding and withdrawing operations of the boring elements previously described. This is continued until a fissure has been formed which extends partially or completely across the breast at this point. Preferably, a fissure is formed which extends completely across the breast at this point. As the boring elements bore at an angle, the borings are picked up by the spiral portion and are conveyed back toward the working space of the vein and discharged upon the pitched floor. The formation of such fissure severs the coal from the bed rock of the floor.

Upon completion of the fissure to the desired extent at the base of the breast, the operator turns the hand wheel I H in the proper direction to a degree sufficient to cause the sleeve 36 to rotate within the sleeve I36, and thereby move the boring elements to a position such that they are in a vertical plane. Then the operator pushes the mast I46 to the left or right so as to bring the boring elements 3 in a position in line with the line of joinder between a lateral rib and the breast,

vein.

of the floor of the vein. Of course, these two operations may be performed in reverse manner. With the boring elements thus positioned the operator repeats the feeding and withdrawing operations of the boring elements previously described. The apparatus is then elevated by means of the wheel I to a position such that the boring elements are approximately just above the portion containing the bored holes but in the same vertical plane, and the feeding and withdrawing operations of the boring elements are again repeated. This is repeated successively until the coal or mineral along the lateral rib has been punctured from the floor to the roof of the When this has been completed, the coal along the opposite lateral rib may be punctured from the floor to the roof in the same manner or the operator may proceed with the succeeding step in the method described herein below immediately after the coal has been punctured along one of the lateral ribs. Preferably, the coal along both of the lateral ribs is punctured before proceeding with such succeeding step. The boring of holes in thecoal of the breast along the lateral ribs from the floor to the roof of the vein fractures the cleavage of the coal at such points.

Upon completion of the step of fracturing the cleavage of the coal along the lateral ribs, the operator turns the hand wheel I lI in the proper direction to a degree suificient to cause the sleeve 36 to rotate within thesleeve I 36, and thereby move the boring elements to a position such that they are in a horizontal plane. 'The nut I53 is then turned in the proper direction to tilt the apparatus upwardly so that the boring elements will be in a horizontal plane which is at an angle substantially parallel with the pitch of the floor of the vein. Then, the hand wheel I90 is turned in the proper direction so as to lower the apparatus to a point such that the boring elements will be at a'point spaced from the fissure, whereupon the mast I46 is pushed to the right or left to shift the apparatus to a point such that the boring elements are in position to attack a multiple of the working breast extending from either one of the two lateral ribs or intermediate the two ribs. It is preferred to shift the apparatus to a point such that the boring elements will attack a multiple of the working breast extending either from the right or left hand lateral rib. At this point the operator repeats the feeding operations of the boring elements into the face of the breast as previously described. When the boring has progressed to the point where the boring elements have penetrated into the coal to the partial or full extent of their length, the operator grasps the hand wheel I34 and exerts a pull backwardly thereon to cause the loose part I23 of the clutch to engage with the driven part I25 of the clutch and thereby actuate the expansive force inducing elements. Preferably the actuation of the expansive force inducing elements is effected when the boring elements have penetrated to a point substantially corresponding to their entire length. The engagement of the aforesaid parts of the clutch causes the rotation of each of the rods 99 through the sprocket wheels II'I carried by each of said rods. As shown in Figure 11 the sprocket wheels are in meshing engagement with a sprocket chain II8 which is driven by sprocket wheel I I9. As the rods 99 are rotated the pointed nose I04 of each of the squared nuts I03 are moved forwardly into contact with the inner surfaces of the jaw members I08 and I09 and press aosaoca against such members to such a degree as to cause the jaw members to extend outwardly through the opposed slots 99, 9I, and 98 in the tube and bear against the V-shaped walls of the interconnecting passages of the spaced localized areas. The pressing of the jaw members against the V-shaped walls of the interconnecting passages of the spaced localized areas induce expansive forces to be exerted upon the coal in the region of such areas which in themselves and unsupplemented by any auxiliary disruptive forces are of sufficient magnitude to break away and dislodge the coal or mineral in the region of such areas in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines and undersized particles. In other words, these expansive forces break away and dislodge the coal in the space bounded by the fissure and the. portion of the plane in which the spaced localized areas are being formed. It is to-be noted that the extent of rotation of the rods 99 is controlled by a nut I29 travelling along the threaded portion I2'I of rod I26. By reference to Figures 24 and 25 it will be apparent that as the rod I26 rotates the nut I29 travels backwardly' along the-threaded portion I27 until it contacts .with the end of sleeve I20 whereupon the loose part I23 of the clutch is pulled out of engagement with the driven part I25 and stops the rotation of the rod I25 and rods 99. As soon as the rotation of the rods I26 and rods 99 is stopped, the operator turns the wheel I95 in the opposite direction to cause the nut I29 to move reversely along the threaded portion I 2? of rod I26 and rotate the rods 99 in theopposite direction through the same sprocket and chain gearing previously described for rotating the rods 99 in the forward direction thereby retracting the.

jaw members I08 and I09 to their normal position. At this point the operator repeats the withdrawing operation of the boring elements.

In place of only rotating the rods 99 to actuate the expansive force inducing elements, the rods may be rotated to effect the actuation of said elements and during the rotation thereof vibratory forces applied to said elements by means of hammer blows imparted to the ends of said rods by the modification shown in Figures 32 and 33; The end of the rod I26 extending into the housing 2 is connected by a yoke 209 and pin 2") to a fixed part 2 of a friction disk clutch carried by the shaft II. The fixed part 2 cooperates with a loose part 2I2 of a friction disk clutch which is also carried by shaft I I. Secured to the loose part 2I2 of the clutch is a gear 2I3 which meshes with a gear 2M carried by a stub shaft 2I5. The shaft 2I5 also carries a worm 2H5 which meshes with a worm wheel 2II carried by a hexagonal shaped shaft 2I8. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 2I8 are a plurality of cams 2I9, each of which engage with and ride upon a roller 220 rotatably mounted on a pin 22 I. Fixedly. mounted upon a hexagonal shaft 222 are mounted a plurality of levers 223, each of which contact with and bear against the end of each of rods 99. As the roller 220 rides about the peripheral surface of the cam 2I9 it exerts pressure on the roller at certain points of the orbital travel of the cam to such an extent as to cause the lever 223 to overcome the force exerted thereon by the spring 224 and then abruptly release such pressure. The application of the pressure to such extent upon the lever 223 through the roller 220 so as to overcome the tensional stress or force exerted thereon by the spring 224 induces the hammer pin 225 to be which mesh with a worm 226 rotatably mounted on the rod 99 to thereby rotate the rods 99 and actuate the expansive force inducing elements.

When the boring elements have been retracted to their initial feeding position, the operator pushes the mast I46 to an extent sufficient to shift the apparatus to a point such that the boring elements are in position to attack another multiple of the breast adjacent the portion just broken away and dislodged. It is to be understood that the boring elements are merely moved to a position in the same plane and still are positioned at an angle substantially parallel to the pitch of the floor of the vein. The operator then repeats the feeding and withdrawing operations of the boring elements and actuates the expansive force inducing elements during the feeding operation of the boring elements as previously described. This is continued until the coal has been broken away and dislodged clear across this plane. The operator then shifts the boring elements to a plane above and spaced from the first plane and then causes such elements to operate in turn upon multiple portions of the breast along such plane until the coal or mineral bounded by such plane and the first plane has been mined. This is continued until all of the coal or mineral in the face of the breast has been broken away and dislodged.

After the entire face of the breast has been mined, the carriage ['66 supporting the mast I46 carrying the apparatus is moved forward along the tracks I92 by means of the jacks 20I to a position such that the apparatus can again attack the breast of coal in the manner previously described.

Having fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of pitch mining of coal or similar minerals without blasting which comprises forming a fissure in the breast at an angle substantially parallel to 'the pitch of the fioor at the juncture point of the breast and the floor of the vein, fracturing the cleavage of the coal or mineral from the floor to the roof of said vein along the joinder point of a lateral rib and the breast, forming contiguous communicating areas of a depth substantially corresponding to said fissure in the breast in a plane spaced from said fissure and at an angle substantially parallel to the pitch of the fioor of the vein, and applying to the walls of said areas at points intermediate the axes of said areas expansive forces which in themselves are of sufficient magnitude to break away and dislodge the coal or mineral in the region of said areas in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines and undersized particles.

2. The method of pitch mining of coal or similar minerals without blasting which comprises forming a fissure in the breast at an angle substantially parallel to the pitch of the floor at the juncture point of the breast and the fioor of the vein, fracturing the cleavage of the coal or min- Search Root eral from the floor to the roof of said vein along the joinder point of a lateral rib and the breast, forming contiguous communicating areas of a depth substantially corresponding to said fissure in the breast in a plane spaced from said fissure and at an angle substantially parallel to the pitch of the floor of the vein, and applying to the walls of said areas at points intermediate the axes of said areas expansive and vibratory forces which in themselves are of sufficient magnitude to break away and dislodge the coal or mineral in the region of said areas in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines and undersized particles.

3. The method of pitch mining of coal or similar minerals without blasting which comprises form.ng a fissure in the breast extending across the entire face of the breast at an angle substantially parallel with the pitch of the floor at the juncture point of the breast and the floor of the vein, fracturing the cleavage of the coal or mineral from the floor to the roof of said vein along each of the joinder points of the lateral ribs,

and the breast, forming contiguous communicating areas of a depth substantially corresponding to said fissure in the breast in a plane spaced from said fissure and at an angle substantially parallel to the pitch of the floor of the vein, and applying to the walls of said areas expansive forces which in themselves are of sufilcient magnitude to break away and dislodge the coal or mineral in the region of said areas in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines and undersized particles.

4. The method of pitch mining of coal or similar minerals without blasting which comprises forming a fissure in the breast extending across the entire face of the breast at an angle substantially parallel with the pitch of the floor at the juncture point of the breast and the fioor of the vein, fracturing the cleavage of the coal or mineral from the floor to the roof of said vein along each of the joinder points of the lateral ribs and the breast, forming contiguous communicating areas of a depth substantially corresponding to said fissure in the breast in a plane spaced from said fissure and at an angle substantially parallel to the pitch of the floor of the vein, and applying to the walls of said areas at points intermediate the axes of said areas intermittent expansive forces which in themselves are of sufficient magnitude to breakaway and dislodge the coal or mineral in the region of said areas in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines and undersized particles.

5. The method of pitch mining of coal or similar minerals without blasting whichrcomprises forming a fissure in the breast extending across the entire face of the breast at an angle substantially parallel with the pitch of the floor at the juncture point of the breast and the fioor of the vein, fracturing the cleavage of the coal or mineral from the floor to the roof of said vein along each of the joinder points of the lateral ribs and the breast, forming contiguous communicating areas of a depth substantially corresponding to said fissure in the breast in a plane spaced from said fissure and at an angle substantially parallel to the pitch of the floor of the vein, and applying to the walls of said areas at points intermediate the axes of said areas expansive and vibratory forces which in themselves are of sufficient magnitude to break away and dislodge the coal or mineral in the region of said areas in sizable pieces with a minimum of fines and undersized particles. 

